Edition 11: March 2025 Minnesota Startup Events and News
Community fueled resource for Minnesota's startup ecosystem.
What event are you most looking forward to this spring? Share in the comments!
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MARCH EVENTS (and a sneak peek into future events):
EmpowerHER: Tackling Founder Mental Health - You can't pour from an empty cup. Learn from Thomas Knoll--a seasoned entrepreneur and mental health advocate--about busting through the mental roadblocks that inevitably come with creating something new, and rallying the troops to achieve your vision.
When: March 20th, 6:30pm
Where: Osborn 370, 370 Wabasha St N, St Paul
Who should attend: Female Founders
Contributed by Andrea at Levelrie
HealthcareMN: Connections & Conversations Series - Healthcare innovation thrives on collaboration—it’s driven by the experts behind the scenes who shape funding, compliance, and strategy. That’s why we’re launching a monthly series to spotlight these hidden power players and create new opportunities for connection. Knowing our community includes both morning commuters and evening go-getters, we’ll alternate each month between coffee meetups and evening events at local breweries. Spotlight Organization: Fredrikson & Byron ** – Navigating Healthcare’s Legal Maze: Protecting Innovation, Ensuring Compliance, and Driving Capital & Deal Flow. Special Feature: Kailin Oliver, MN Cup
When: March 26th, 4:30pm
Where: Forgotten Star Brewery
Who should attend: This series is designed for anyone passionate about advancing healthcare innovation and looking to connect with key players in the ecosystem!
Contributed by Rashmi at HealthcareMN
2025 Summit Capital Readiness: Inside + Out - The ConnectUp! Summit is a 3-day culturally grounded, curated gathering of our entrepreneur community. Get the mechanics of getting capital ready and running your business. Engage in interactive problem-solving to build thriving, diverse, & sustainable investing.
Co-design an ecosystem that prioritizes equitable access to resources, capital & networks.When: April 10th, 1pm
Where: Wilder Foundation: 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St. Paul, MN 55104
Who should attend: Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Ecosystem Partners
Contributed by Natalie at ConnectUp MN
Angel Fest 2025 - Angel Fest is an energetic conference empowering and connecting early-stage investors from Minnesota, and beyond. Angel Fest is the region’s marquee annual investor conference. For the first time ever, Angel Fest 2025 will bring you an immersive two-day experience packed with valuable content and opportunities. Join us on May 8 & 9 for an unforgettable opportunity to connect with thought leaders, engage in interactive sessions, and network with hundreds of fellow investors shaping the future.
When: May 8th & 9th
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium (UMN)
Who should attend: Angel Investors
Contributed by Mickayla at Groove Capital
ConnectUP! Mini Summit: Sparking Success with Cannabis - Have high hopes for your small cannabis businesses? This ConnectUP! Mini Summit is designed for entrepreneurs who want to elevate their businesses, learn from experts, and collaborate with like-minded professionals. Whether you’re looking to scale your operations, stay compliant, or forge new partnerships, this event is your gateway to the next level of success in the cannabis industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your business growth and network with industry leaders!
When: September 5th, 8:30am
Where: Red Lake Nation College Minneapolis Campus, 900 S 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Who should attend: Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Ecosystem Partners
Contributed by Natalie at ConnectUp MN
NEWS AND RESOURCES
🚀 $100K for Startups – Apply for the MSP Equity Accelerator! - The MSP Equity Accelerator, powered by Allianz Life and gener8tor, is investing $100K in five high-growth startups led by undercapitalized founders. This 12-week program offers mentorship, access to gener8tor’s international investor and corporate network, a showcase event to pitch your startup and more! Open to all industries and business models, this is your chance to gain funding and strategic connections—apply by April 25, 2025!